Expanding hospital services with hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help healthcare facilities improve patient care, expand treatment options, and create new revenue opportunities. If your facility has an outpatient wound care center but does not offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy services, you are likely losing patients who are seeking this treatment elsewhere. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is approved by Medicare and commercial/HMO payers to treat conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers that meet certain criteria, chronic refractory osteomyelitis, compromised skin flaps/grafts, and non-wound conditions such as late effects of radiation. The treatment of these chronic conditions takes place in a comfortable setting, with high rates of patient satisfaction reported from these types of centers. Learn more about the benefits of adding hyperbaric oxygen therapy services to healthcare facilities. Contact APEX Health Network online or give us a call at (626) 788-8321 to discuss how APEX Health Network can help expand your facility’s treatment options.
Learn More About the Benefits of Adding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Services to Healthcare Facilities
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment where a patient lies inside a pressurized chamber containing 100% pure oxygen. Henry’s Law explains that while breathing 100% oxygen under pressure, the amount of gas dissolved is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas, causing the plasma concentration of oxygen to increase up to 13 times. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a form of regenerative medicine, promoting new blood vessels to form as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory to aid in healing a variety of conditions. Hyperbaric medicine has been around for more than 100 years and has commonly treated emergency conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning and the “bends” for scuba divers. However, it has been widely misunderstood, and a majority of the medical community is not aware of the scientific principles of hyperbaric medicine. Studies done by credible institutions such as the Mayo Clinic have boosted awareness of the effectiveness of this treatment for many conditions, and payers have realized that healing a patient is less costly than dragging out treatments for months or years with little effect.
What Conditions Are Treatable with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Several non-emergency standard and emerging conditions have shown benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy:
- Non-healing diabetic foot ulcers
- Non-healing select problem wounds
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
- Long COVID symptoms
- Certain soft tissue infections
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Post-stroke recovery
- Thermal burns
- Crush injuries
- Compromised skin grafts/flaps
- Preparation for skin flap (i.e., reconstructive breast surgery)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Staff Education and Training
APEX will ensure the proper training of the hyperbaric technician staff, as well as the wound care and office staff. Safety is of utmost importance, and every standard is followed diligently. The construction of the unit and ongoing operations comply with the NFPA-99 guidelines. The Director of Hyperbaric Operations for APEX provides support for the technicians and ongoing monitoring of the unit for safety and other quality indicators.
Contact APEX to Discuss Adding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Services to Your Healthcare Facility
If you are interested in expanding your healthcare facility’s services with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, contact APEX Health Network to discuss the benefits and opportunities of adding this specialized treatment option. Our experienced team can help evaluate your facility’s needs, assess the potential for implementing hyperbaric oxygen therapy services, and provide a detailed financial pro forma to review during the consultation process. APEX Health Network also offers guidance on staff education, training, and ongoing operations to help ensure a successful program. Contact APEX Health Network online or call (626) 788-8321 to discuss how we can help bring hyperbaric oxygen therapy services to your healthcare facility.
